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SALT LAKE CITY -- Jackhammers started tearing into the North Temple viaduct Tuesday morning. It's a sign the project is moving forward.
When it's done, the new viaduct will carry more than cars: Bikes, pedestrians and light rail trains will make this a kind of "super bridge."
Like advancing tanks on a battlefield, huge jackhammers assumed the position. The mission: to start bringing down the North Temple viaduct.
A ceremonial "first crack" came at the hands of officials like Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Lt. Gov. Greg Bell.
But workers are even now getting serious about bringing the bridge down. In the end, a new bridge will be in its place.
"This really will be a whole new connection between downtown and the whole west side of our community," Becker said.
"We'll have light-rail on the top, we'll have commuter rail right below us," said Mike Allegra with the Utah Transit Authority. "You'll be able to get anywhere within the Wasatch Front with this one transfer. Access to the airport is vital."
Everyone agrees the end result will be great.
In the meantime -- 18 months -- the site will be a massive construction zone complete with closed roads and detours.
Business-wise, losing a major access street can be scary for businesses like the Red Iguana restaurant. But Tuesday, owner Lucy Cardenas seemed optimistic.
"A lot of people don't know yet, but they'll find out as soon as they come over here and look at this bridge and see it's not there," Cardenas said. "They'll call and say, 'How do we get to you?' and we're prepared to tell them how."
There is legitimate concern for all businesses, a temporary downside to every light-rail project.
Salt Lake City Council chairman J.T. Martin said, "Shop, go out of the way, get to their businesses, let them know you appreciate them and know the inconvenience, and this could be a financial hardship for them."
Replacing the bridge is a $71 million piece to the airport TRAX line. The total cost is $350 million, paid for through sales taxes.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
